On Saturday, October 24, the McCaskey community gathered at McCaskey East for a tree planting celebration honoring the life and legacy of Brother Frank Albrecht, a longtime educator and mentor whose dedication to students continues to inspire efforts across the School District of Lancaster.
Organized in partnership with Let’s Go 1-2-3, the event brought volunteers together to plant native trees and shrubs along McCaskey Avenue and Grofftown Run. With a goal of planting more than 200 trees, the project continues efforts to expand green spaces across campus while creating a lasting tribute to someone who devoted more than 30 years to supporting McCaskey students.
Brother Frank was known throughout the district for his work in peer mediation and conflict resolution. As a student support facilitator, he helped students navigate disagreements, build relationships and recognize their ability to overcome challenges. His work through the McCaskey Reflection Center reflected his belief that young people could find solutions when given the opportunity and support to do so.
The planting builds on environmental improvements that began in November 2024, when 46 bare-root trees were installed around campus parking areas. Additional plantings have followed, with the latest phase focused on expanding the campus’s tree canopy and introducing native plants that support local wildlife.
“Students really wanted to have shade. We are definitely providing shade with all these trees,” said Lydia Martin, Director of Community Engagement for Let’s Go 1-2-3.
Plans also include developing a short-grass meadow to provide habitat for butterflies, bees and other pollinators. Future phases will extend improvements to additional areas around McCaskey East, including green space near Wickersham Elementary School, giving students more opportunities to experience nature without leaving their school community.
For Matt Shields, the district’s director of Facilities and Building Operations, seeing over 30 volunteers dedicate their Saturday morning to the project reflected the community’s investment in its public schools.
“It’s about the community involvement and investing in the school district, both from the education standpoint and the community as a whole,” Shields said.
Shields also highlighted the educational opportunities created through the district’s partnerships with Let’s Go 1-2-3 and other environmental organizations. Previous collaborations have included improvements to outdoor classrooms and hands-on learning experiences that encourage students to take an active role in maintaining their school environment.
For Brother Frank’s family, the celebration carried special meaning. His oldest daughter, Yentli Soto Albrecht, attended the planting and reflected on the significance of seeing the community continue honoring her father’s memory through a project that will benefit students for years to come.
“They’ll get to enjoy the shade of a healthier space as they are growing into themselves and bringing their education out into the world,” she said.
Soto Albrecht also recognized the connection between the planting and her father’s commitment to helping students believe in themselves. She hopes the experience encourages young people to recognize their own potential and the importance of supporting one another through difficult circumstances.
“I want students to remember that they have power, and that they have power to craft their own destiny as they develop into themselves,” she said.
Brother Frank passed away in August 2024 after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Since his passing, the McCaskey community has continued celebrating his life through initiatives that reflect his commitment to students and helping others.
Earlier this year, students and supporters participated in Push-Ups for ALS, a fundraiser inspired by Brother Frank’s daily tradition of completing push-ups corresponding to his age. The effort raised approximately $66,000 for ALS research, with contributions from McCaskey’s Honor Society helping the campaign reach its fundraising milestone. Soto Albrecht, who is completing her MD-PhD at the University of Pennsylvania, also founded Cure C9 to advance research into the genetic mutation associated with ALS that affected her father.
The tree planting was supported by the Frank Albrecht Memorial Fund through the Lancaster Education Foundation, alongside Let’s Go 1-2-3, the School District of Lancaster, and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. The City of Lancaster also contributed mulch and other materials, while additional community partners provided resources and support for the ongoing improvements.
Soto Albrecht expressed gratitude for the continued support of the school community and its commitment to keeping her father’s memory alive. “I’m so grateful for a community that has come together multiple times to celebrate his memory,” she said.
The trees planted across McCaskey East will continue growing long after the students and volunteers who planted them have moved on. Their shade will eventually reach students who never knew Brother Frank, extending his influence in a way his family and the McCaskey community can see for years to come. For more photos, visit our social media.